Who are the subjects and how many people were surveyed?

The survey targets 1,006 business professionals aged 20 to 50 who have participated in networking events within the past year.

How often do business professionals attend networking events?

Approximately 60% of respondents attend networking events less than once every few months, indicating that frequent participation is limited.

What is the biggest trigger for attending networking events?

The most common trigger is 'information from the community or community announcements' at 50.7%.

What do attendees expect most from networking events?

The most expected outcome is 'gaining new connections and a community' at 48.3%.

What percentage of networking events lead to actual business deals?

Among those seeking business opportunities, 37.3% reported that 30-40% of networking events lead to deals, while 35.5% reported 10-20%.

Is Business Networking Effective? Survey of 1,006 Professionals Reveals Dissatisfaction with 'Shallow 5-Minute Conversations'

Published May 25, 2026 8:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 14, 2026 4:48 PM ・ 4 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Keiei Sanbou Co., Ltd. conducted a survey of 1,006 business professionals aged 20-50 regarding their participation in networking events. The results show that about 60% attend events once every few months or less, primarily triggered by community invitations (50.7%). While 48.3% expect to build new networks, many express dissatisfaction with the declining quality of interaction caused by overcrowded venues.

Keiei Sanbou Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Shintani) conducted a survey on the 'Actual State of Networking Event Participation among Business Professionals,' targeting 1,006 individuals who have participated in such events within the past year.

Frequency and Triggers of Participation The survey revealed that approximately 60% of professionals participate in networking events 'once every few months or less,' with the most common responses being 'once every six months (19.2%)' and 'once a year (18.7%).' Offline events tend to have higher barriers due to travel time and scheduling compared to online options.

The most frequent trigger for participation was 'Information from a community one belongs to (50.7%),' followed by 'Interest in speakers (28.8%)' and 'Referrals from acquaintances or colleagues (26.2%).' This indicates that trusted networks and existing relationships strongly influence the motivation to attend.

Expectations and Lead Conversion Rates The primary expectation for attending events was 'Gaining a community for new connections (48.3%).' Other practical goals included 'Obtaining specific information or case studies (31.7%)' and 'Securing opportunities for business deals (28.5%).'

Among those seeking business opportunities, the conversion rate to actual meetings was as follows: - 10-20% conversion: 35.5% - 30-40% conversion: 37.3% - 50-60% conversion: 15.3% Notably, 7.0% responded that attendance had never led to a service inquiry or consideration.

Key Dissatisfactions The top dissatisfaction reported was 'Too many people to have meaningful conversations.' The survey highlights a prevalent issue where interactions end with a mere exchange of business cards or shallow conversations lasting only a few minutes per person, making it difficult to establish substantial professional relationships.

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: Survey
Organizations: PRIZMA

Is Business Networking Effective? Survey of 1,006 Professionals Reveals Dissatisfaction with 'Shallow 5-Minute Conversations'

⚡ Key Points

Expectations and Lead Conversion Rates The primary expectation for attending events was 'Gaining a community for new connections (48.3%).' Other practical goals included 'Obtaining specific information or case studies (31.7%)' and 'Securing opportunities for business deals (28.5%).'

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